Watch Cooking Channel

Bourbon Banana Puddings

Banana pudding sits high in the royal court of Southern desserts, and it doesn't get much better than the classic recipe on the back of the Nilla wafer box. But not being able to leave well enough alone, I gave the recipe an updated spin. I added brown sugar and bourbon to my vanilla pudding base, giving it a hint of butterscotch and a bit more grown-up appeal. And to further the recipe's cocktail-lovin' flare, I substituted in sweet and spicy gingersnaps for the usual plain wafers -- my nod to the old Southern standby "Jack and Ginger."

Recipe courtesy Nealey Dozier

Photo: Bourbon Banana Puddings

TOTAL TIME: 8 hr 30 min
Prep: 20 min
Inactive Prep: 8 hr
Cook: 10 min
 
YIELD: 6 individual large puddings (8 to 10 in smaller glasses)
LEVEL: Intermediate

ingredients

PUDDING BASE:
  • 2 cups whole or 2-percent milk
  • 4 large egg yolks
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1/4 teaspoon table salt
  • 4 tablespoons bourbon or whiskey
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
    TO ASSEMBLE:
    recipe tools

      • COMMENT ON THIS PROJECT

          

      Sign in

      All fields are required.

      E-mail Address:

      Password:

      Remember me on this computer

      Signing in

      Please enter your email address and we will send your password

      E-mail Address

      Your password has been sent and should arrive in your mailbox very soon.

      Not a member?

      Sign up for My Cooking Channel to share photos, show off your style, and connect to an enthusiastic and helpful community.

      It's free and easy.

    • Print Recipe

    Directions

    For the pudding base: In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, bring milk to a gentle simmer over medium heat. In a separate bowl, combine egg yolks, sugar, brown sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Beat with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.

    Stir a small amount of the warmed milk into the yolk mixture to temper the eggs. Whisk the yolk mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining milk. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook until the custard starts to thicken, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the bourbon and vanilla and continue cooking until glossy and quite thick, another 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat and whisk in the butter, stirring until it is completely melted.

    Push pudding through a fine mesh sieve into a large bowl. Press plastic wrap directly over the surface of the pudding and refrigerate for a minimum of four hours, or overnight.

    To assemble: In a medium bowl, beat the heavy cream and vanilla with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Fold the whipped cream into the bourbon pudding until no visible streaks remain. In individual serving glasses, layer pudding, gingersnaps, and bananas, finishing with a layer of pudding on top. Chill for 4 hours (and no longer than eight) before serving. Crush remaining gingersnaps and sprinkle crumbs over the top.

    Note: While most recipes for banana pudding call for a big trifle dish, I thought these would be best piled into my favorite cocktail glasses; the individual servings are perfect for your next adults-only dinner party, no I.D. required.

    COMMENT ON THIS PROJECT

        

    Sign in

    All fields are required.

    E-mail Address:

    Password:

    Remember me on this computer

    Signing in

    Please enter your email address and we will send your password

    E-mail Address

    Your password has been sent and should arrive in your mailbox very soon.

    Not a member?

    Sign up for My Cooking Channel to share photos, show off your style, and connect to an enthusiastic and helpful community.

    It's free and easy.

    Review This Recipe

    You must be logged in to review this recipe.

    or Sign Up to Review

    Advertisement

    On TV

    *ALL TIMES EASTERN
    ON AIR
    NOW
    TONIGHT
    10:00
    PM

    what's hot

    Tripping Out with Alie & Georgia
    Tripping Out with Alie & Georgia Host: Alie Ward & Georgia Hardstark

    Get Cooking Channel on your TV.

    Learn How